Repaired my old bike with new tubes and tires. It’s ready to ride now if I need it.

Took advantage of a battery sale to buy more AAA and AA (thanks Ready Mom for the heads up!).

Pulled some 5 gallon food buckets (mostly rice) out of storage to add to what’s on hand. I’ve got plenty of food, but for others I want more on hand.

Went through my storage bins to get some of my incremental purchases put in their proper place. The bins are separated by category (first aid, PPE, camping, fuel, etc.). I identified a few CBRN protective items I could use a few more of. Going to go price shopping for deals.

Repaired my old bike with new tubes and tires. It’s ready to ride now if I need it.

Took advantage of a battery sale to buy more AAA and AA (thanks Ready Mom for the heads up!).

Pulled some 5 gallon food buckets (mostly rice) out of storage to add to what’s on hand. I’ve got plenty of food, but for others I want more on hand.

Went through my storage bins to get some of my incremental purchases put in their proper place. The bins are separated by category (first aid, PPE, camping, fuel, etc.). I identified a few CBRN protective items I could use a few more of. Going to go price shopping for deals.

Repaired my old bike with new tubes and tires. It’s ready to ride now if I need it.

Took advantage of a battery sale to buy more AAA and AA (thanks Ready Mom for the heads up!).

Pulled some 5 gallon food buckets (mostly rice) out of storage to add to what’s on hand. I’ve got plenty of food, but for others I want more on hand.

Went through my storage bins to get some of my incremental purchases put in their proper place. The bins are separated by category (first aid, PPE, camping, fuel, etc.). I identified a few CBRN protective items I could use a few more of. Going to go price shopping for deals.

Also, I’ve been subscribed to DoD news briefings since 2009, but recently changed emails. Here’s the link to setup an account to receive announcements and you can sign up through this portal for news from many other governmental agencies (FEMA and others)https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts … =true#tab1

I get those on my phone, so it’s as real time as radio for some items. It’s also more detail than the evening news.

I’ve got more books than I’ve had time to read. Many recipes I’ve never cooked. Many ideas on things I’ve never had time to build. I’ve also got a number of games to play when interacting with others. No worries if I had the downtime. Lots to keep me occupied.

Curious as to how other folks are getting their real time information given the brink of war that we may find ourselves with North Korea?

In terms of situational awareness, I was impressed upon by a prior prepper group lecture on the topic. A key point was having the radio on, rather than music streaming or playing a CD, such as when traveling in your car. If there’s an announcement of any disaster, you lose precious minutes not being aware by being tuned out to radio broadcasted warnings. You might be driving into danger instead of away from it.

Other than keeping the radio on, I’m curious to how people get their news outside of TV. I do look at Fox, CNN, BBC, and the AP websites. Any good news websites out there worth sharing?

Curious as to how other folks are getting their real time information given the brink of war that we may find ourselves with North Korea?

In terms of situational awareness, I was impressed upon by a prior prepper group lecture on the topic. A key point was having the radio on, rather than music streaming or playing a CD, such as when traveling in your car. If there’s an announcement of any disaster, you lose precious minutes not being aware by being tuned out to radio broadcasted warnings. You might be driving into danger instead of away from it.

Other than keeping the radio on, I’m curious to how people get their news outside of TV. I do look at Fox, CNN, BBC, and the AP websites. Any good news websites out there worth sharing?

Curious as to how other folks are getting their real time information given the brink of war that we may find ourselves with North Korea?

In terms of situational awareness, I was impressed upon by a prior prepper group lecture on the topic. A key point was having the radio on, rather than music streaming or playing a CD, such as when traveling in your car. If there’s an announcement of any disaster, you lose precious minutes not being aware by being tuned out to radio broadcasted warnings. You might be driving into danger instead of away from it.

Other than keeping the radio on, I’m curious to how people get their news outside of TV. I do look at Fox, CNN, BBC, and the AP websites. Any good news websites out there worth sharing?

Cadit wrote:So I ask; when does friendship/Brotherhood negate Survival, or does it?

You are best served asking that in your own heart. However, I hope your buddy doesn’t read this forum!

My general opinion is people will have good and bad days. I only wouldn’t want someone around who is a net negative. Example negatives to outweigh positives would include being a total mooch, disrupting the group dynamic, immediately causing a direct threat to a group member’s life via their actions, or one who dangerously violates opsec for a group. Your buddy doesn’t sound like that to me.

My thoughts on working with any that are short term unprepared, but long term assets would be to carry them in the short term if it’s feasible. There’s no guarantee that anyone prepared won’t have to deal with Murphy at some point themselves and then need a hand too. If these are good people they’ll remember what was done for them and ideally reciprocate in turn.

Cadit wrote:So I ask; when does friendship/Brotherhood negate Survival, or does it?

You are best served asking that in your own heart. However, I hope your buddy doesn’t read this forum!

My general opinion is people will have good and bad days. I only wouldn’t want someone around who is a net negative. Example negatives to outweigh positives would include being a total mooch, disrupting the group dynamic, immediately causing a direct threat to a group member’s life via their actions, or one who dangerously violates opsec for a group. Your buddy doesn’t sound like that to me.

My thoughts on working with any that are short term unprepared, but long term assets would be to carry them in the short term if it’s feasible. There’s no guarantee that anyone prepared won’t have to deal with Murphy at some point themselves and then need a hand too. If these are good people they’ll remember what was done for them and ideally reciprocate in turn.

Cadit wrote:So I ask; when does friendship/Brotherhood negate Survival, or does it?

You are best served asking that in your own heart. However, I hope your buddy doesn’t read this forum!

My general opinion is people will have good and bad days. I only wouldn’t want someone around who is a net negative. Example negatives to outweigh positives would include being a total mooch, disrupting the group dynamic, immediately causing a direct threat to a group member’s life via their actions, or one who dangerously violates opsec for a group. Your buddy doesn’t sound like that to me.

My thoughts on working with any that are short term unprepared, but long term assets would be to carry them in the short term if it’s feasible. There’s no guarantee that anyone prepared won’t have to deal with Murphy at some point themselves and then need a hand too. If these are good people they’ll remember what was done for them and ideally reciprocate in turn.

I’m inferring that what you’re saying is- If someone is planning to have a vehicle for a specific function, then it’s best to plan and purchase around that. I’d agree.

I’d guess your friend’s purpose for the vehicle, based on description only, is perhaps as much recreation/fun as evac minded. That jeep still sounds more suitable for evac than some of the street cars with spoilers I see in my area. Those can barely navigate a speed hump and create a traffic jam when there’s local storm flooding, because they are just too low to the ground to deal with a foot of water.

I’ll be in the market for a new vehicle soon. My requirements are another crew cab pickup like I currently have, one that can seat 6 plus gear in the bed, or with less people then more gear. It’s 4×4 and has a ball hitch. For my next purchase, no snorkel kit or anything fancy for extreme off-roading. I would like to add a CB and/or HAM rig, maybe a roof rack basket, a winch kit and a bike rack*.

*An evac vehicle can be a bicycle and the pack on your back if need be. Without a bike, if the way out is impassable to a car or truck, it’s two feet and a need for comfortable footwear.

I’m inferring that what you’re saying is- If someone is planning to have a vehicle for a specific function, then it’s best to plan and purchase around that. I’d agree.

I’d guess your friend’s purpose for the vehicle, based on description only, is perhaps as much recreation/fun as evac minded. That jeep still sounds more suitable for evac than some of the street cars with spoilers I see in my area. Those can barely navigate a speed hump and create a traffic jam when there’s local storm flooding, because they are just too low to the ground to deal with a foot of water.

I’ll be in the market for a new vehicle soon. My requirements are another crew cab pickup like I currently have, one that can seat 6 plus gear in the bed, or with less people then more gear. It’s 4×4 and has a ball hitch. For my next purchase, no snorkel kit or anything fancy for extreme off-roading. I would like to add a CB and/or HAM rig, maybe a roof rack basket, a winch kit and a bike rack*.

*An evac vehicle can be a bicycle and the pack on your back if need be. Without a bike, if the way out is impassable to a car or truck, it’s two feet and a need for comfortable footwear.

Ran around a lot this weekend, but managed to pick up a few items at a flea market, a moving sale, and a thrift shop. Nothing fancy- a WWII era E-Tool, a candle making kit with supplies, tackle box, compact ground pad for hiking, a scope suitable for a .22, a tarp, and a guide book for canoeing NJ rivers.

Harvested more tomatoes and peppers. Tomatoes are all given away. I only had a few plants this year. However, I’ve got enough jalapeno peppers now to think about canning. I just haven’t decided the recipe to use, or whether to ferment or use a hot pack/water bath.

Ran around a lot this weekend, but managed to pick up a few items at a flea market, a moving sale, and a thrift shop. Nothing fancy- a WWII era E-Tool, a candle making kit with supplies, tackle box, compact ground pad for hiking, a scope suitable for a .22, a tarp, and a guide book for canoeing NJ rivers.

Harvested more tomatoes and peppers. Tomatoes are all given away. I only had a few plants this year. However, I’ve got enough jalapeno peppers now to think about canning. I just haven’t decided the recipe to use, or whether to ferment or use a hot pack/water bath.

Yes, I agree. In terms of process, generally it comes down to how many minutes of processing time and head space in the jars. If there’s ever a discrepancy I would defer to the newer edition’s guidance.

I collect the different issue years because like any cookbook there’s going to be some issue to issue changes in the recipe varieties in order to justify a printing. For my purposes it’s just an opportunity to collect a wider variety of canning recipes.

Yes, I agree. In terms of process, generally it comes down to how many minutes of processing time and head space in the jars. If there’s ever a discrepancy I would defer to the newer edition’s guidance.

I collect the different issue years because like any cookbook there’s going to be some issue to issue changes in the recipe varieties in order to justify a printing. For my purposes it’s just an opportunity to collect a wider variety of canning recipes.

Found in house cleaning yet another copy of Ball Book of Preserving to add to my collection. I must have a dozen versions of that book.

Two AGM batteries arrived yesterday for my small solar test project. I already had a panel, charge controller and inverter. I have to get some battery cables now for connecting them in parallel. This is just for charging radio batteries and similar small electronics.

Picking up a crossbow hard case tonight for a good price. Might get me motivated to get in some range time before the summer is over.

Found in house cleaning yet another copy of Ball Book of Preserving to add to my collection. I must have a dozen versions of that book.

Two AGM batteries arrived yesterday for my small solar test project. I already had a panel, charge controller and inverter. I have to get some battery cables now for connecting them in parallel. This is just for charging radio batteries and similar small electronics.

Picking up a crossbow hard case tonight for a good price. Might get me motivated to get in some range time before the summer is over.

So, you (the generic you) have your PMs, and it’s after SHTF, or things have settled down, and you think you’re going to buy up all kind of things with off the books PMs. Or on the flip side you took advantage of less prepared people with gold trading them water, medicine, whatever and then amassed gold during SHTF.

So things settle down, and the old/new government steps in, says where are your records on this wealth, and perhaps they take it or put you in jail because you’ve avoided their taxes with your black market bartering transactions.

The gist of all this is efforts by a government trying to force wealth into the banking system so it can be taxed and controlled. It’s not a new thing.

Without a SHTF, I fully expect that in a decade paper money will be phased out in many if not most developed nations. And use of gold for private trade in that setting will be highly discouraged, limited or made illegal for such private transactions. Imagine all those people that bought PMs or kept their cash out of the banks in large bill denominations getting swindled or squeezed like those in India now.

Just some things to consider.

I’m not against PMs by the way. Personally my approach is to put first things first in terms of prioritizing survival items, self-defense items, then self-sustainability items, before PMs.

So, you (the generic you) have your PMs, and it’s after SHTF, or things have settled down, and you think you’re going to buy up all kind of things with off the books PMs. Or on the flip side you took advantage of less prepared people with gold trading them water, medicine, whatever and then amassed gold during SHTF.

So things settle down, and the old/new government steps in, says where are your records on this wealth, and perhaps they take it or put you in jail because you’ve avoided their taxes with your black market bartering transactions.

The gist of all this is efforts by a government trying to force wealth into the banking system so it can be taxed and controlled. It’s not a new thing.

Without a SHTF, I fully expect that in a decade paper money will be phased out in many if not most developed nations. And use of gold for private trade in that setting will be highly discouraged, limited or made illegal for such private transactions. Imagine all those people that bought PMs or kept their cash out of the banks in large bill denominations getting swindled or squeezed like those in India now.

Just some things to consider.

I’m not against PMs by the way. Personally my approach is to put first things first in terms of prioritizing survival items, self-defense items, then self-sustainability items, before PMs.

NK doesn’t have to reach the U.S. I think they’re developing that additional deterrent, but they really have more leverage than we do given all the artillery they have pointed at our ally S. Korea.

Regardless of the missile program, I’d think NK could easily reach our surface fleet now with their nukes if sufficiently provoked or if we pre-emptively attack them. The loss of a carrier group, or two, or more, could arguably be more damaging to the U.S. long term interests than a single city being nuked. A city would galvanize our resolve and make us a victim. A naval disaster would cause a loss of world political power and possibly the world would say we had it coming. Russia and China will likely overtly side with NK, on the pretext of any disproportionate U.S. response or us goading NK into conflict, especially if civilian areas in NK are hit by a counter strike. If this also coincides with a massive cyber attack from any of the 3 on our banking or stock market, or both, we’d potentially lose our economy on top of a significant amount of power projection in the world.

Just speculation and there are dozens of scenarios like that. I feel we do have a lot more to lose in starting a war, than we stand to gain from glassing over NK. I’m in favor of a diplomatic resolution, or failing that a more covert attempt at regime change to remove Kim Jong-un. He really is the James Bond Villain of our time.

NK doesn’t have to reach the U.S. I think they’re developing that additional deterrent, but they really have more leverage than we do given all the artillery they have pointed at our ally S. Korea.

Regardless of the missile program, I’d think NK could easily reach our surface fleet now with their nukes if sufficiently provoked or if we pre-emptively attack them. The loss of a carrier group, or two, or more, could arguably be more damaging to the U.S. long term interests than a single city being nuked. A city would galvanize our resolve and make us a victim. A naval disaster would cause a loss of world political power and possibly the world would say we had it coming. Russia and China will likely overtly side with NK, on the pretext of any disproportionate U.S. response or us goading NK into conflict, especially if civilian areas in NK are hit by a counter strike. If this also coincides with a massive cyber attack from any of the 3 on our banking or stock market, or both, we’d potentially lose our economy on top of a significant amount of power projection in the world.

Just speculation and there are dozens of scenarios like that. I feel we do have a lot more to lose in starting a war, than we stand to gain from glassing over NK. I’m in favor of a diplomatic resolution, or failing that a more covert attempt at regime change to remove Kim Jong-un. He really is the James Bond Villain of our time.

NK doesn’t have to reach the U.S. I think they’re developing that additional deterrent, but they really have more leverage than we do given all the artillery they have pointed at our ally S. Korea.

Regardless of the missile program, I’d think NK could easily reach our surface fleet now with their nukes if sufficiently provoked or if we pre-emptively attack them. The loss of a carrier group, or two, or more, could arguably be more damaging to the U.S. long term interests than a single city being nuked. A city would galvanize our resolve and make us a victim. A naval disaster would cause a loss of world political power and possibly the world would say we had it coming. Russia and China will likely overtly side with NK, on the pretext of any disproportionate U.S. response or us goading NK into conflict, especially if civilian areas in NK are hit by a counter strike. If this also coincides with a massive cyber attack from any of the 3 on our banking or stock market, or both, we’d potentially lose our economy on top of a significant amount of power projection in the world.

Just speculation and there are dozens of scenarios like that. I feel we do have a lot more to lose in starting a war, than we stand to gain from glassing over NK. I’m in favor of a diplomatic resolution, or failing that a more covert attempt at regime change to remove Kim Jong-un. He really is the James Bond Villain of our time.

If it’s an all out nuclear conflict, I’m as good as ash. If it’s a single warhead attack, and they aim for but miss NYC then I’m toast too. And if NK hits a West Coast city, I will have enough warning to take reasonable precautions with what I already own. So while I do have some preps in this area, it’s one that I really have been incremental on, and instead spending more time on other areas. So no, I haven’t updated lately given the recent ratcheting of world tensions.

That said, my Potassium Iodide will be replaced soon, and I could stand to get new mask/filters. I have only a half face mask with chemical/organic vapor cartridges and really do want a full face mil spec mask and hood(s). In the detection department, I’ve got a CD V-717 that should be sent out for calibration, and I could use more radiation detection stickers. There are 3 pump sprayers to pull out from my old property and see which ones are still working well to use for decontamination. They are cheap enough that I could just replace them. And one can never have enough plastic sheeting, gloves, disposable clothes, etc.

These are mainly things I’ll be more active on once I’ve moved off the likely X that I find myself at.

The good news is I’m no longer living a block away from an often used railroad freight line, so the possibilities of chemical exposure from a derailment/industrial accident have dropped significantly.

If it’s an all out nuclear conflict, I’m as good as ash. If it’s a single warhead attack, and they aim for but miss NYC then I’m toast too. And if NK hits a West Coast city, I will have enough warning to take reasonable precautions with what I already own. So while I do have some preps in this area, it’s one that I really have been incremental on, and instead spending more time on other areas. So no, I haven’t updated lately given the recent ratcheting of world tensions.

That said, my Potassium Iodide will be replaced soon, and I could stand to get new mask/filters. I have only a half face mask with chemical/organic vapor cartridges and really do want a full face mil spec mask and hood(s). In the detection department, I’ve got a CD V-717 that should be sent out for calibration, and I could use more radiation detection stickers. There are 3 pump sprayers to pull out from my old property and see which ones are still working well to use for decontamination. They are cheap enough that I could just replace them. And one can never have enough plastic sheeting, gloves, disposable clothes, etc.

These are mainly things I’ll be more active on once I’ve moved off the likely X that I find myself at.

The good news is I’m no longer living a block away from an often used railroad freight line, so the possibilities of chemical exposure from a derailment/industrial accident have dropped significantly.

I read a related article that said the unintelligible language was actually more of a shorthand with fewer words. It’s probably not unlike how adults can’t understand the new words kids come up with. Or how preppers can communicate certain ideas among ourselves, that the public at large might be clueless about.

Given we know people familiar with one another are able to speak and have a double meaning to communicate in what is said, why not the same with AI? I wouldn’t doubt that the programmers forcing AI bots to converse only in English, will as a byproduct cause the AIs to learn interleaving hidden messages within their communications. I doubt we’d be able to see a pattern of coded messages between AI bots if it’s done that way, and if detected we’d still have trouble discerning what’s being said.

Spent more time getting the house ready for sale, so not alot of prepping activity this week. Bought my tickets for the Mother Earth News Fair in PA in September. Ordered some small AGM deep cycle batteries for my modest test solar panel. Only planning to use this system for recharging small electronics batteries, like for my HT comms equipment or running a radio straight off the AGM batteries. Also read through a book on solar I’d ordered. Useful in the theory, but was based more on planning for house systems.

I miss my gas range. Electric is not as good at keeping a good steady temperature for canning.

Next place will require a gas/propane range and if that’s my new home I’ll make sure it’s convertible to use propane, even if there’s a city gas line. For SHTF, I’m not going to want to deal with the noise of a generator or a very larger and expensive solar set up to have a ridiculous amount of watts used for an electric stove. I’d rather have the smaller solar system for running communications equipment, battery recharges, and if necessary power tools from a generator.

For my backups to electric stoves now, I already have a variety of portable stoves, using a variety of fuels. Of course a fire pit is another alternative.

I miss my gas range. Electric is not as good at keeping a good steady temperature for canning.

Next place will require a gas/propane range and if that’s my new home I’ll make sure it’s convertible to use propane, even if there’s a city gas line. For SHTF, I’m not going to want to deal with the noise of a generator or a very larger and expensive solar set up to have a ridiculous amount of watts used for an electric stove. I’d rather have the smaller solar system for running communications equipment, battery recharges, and if necessary power tools from a generator.

For my backups to electric stoves now, I already have a variety of portable stoves, using a variety of fuels. Of course a fire pit is another alternative.

I’ve been really occupied lately getting a house ready enough for sale, with lots of minor repairs and lots of clean up. Working on filling a 3rd 20yd dumpster…I think at least one dumpster’s worth was just stored building materials. Sad to see some of that go. However, In recent activity, during cleaning and dividing some final items with the ex, I recovered 10 pails of rice, beans and popcorn. I recall in this lot that some of the restaurant supply beans were a little iffy looking directly out of the bulk bags when I’d repacked in mylar with DE within the 5 gal pails. I’ll have to open one pail up, see what they look like, and how they rinse up for a cooking. Decoy food at the worst.

From past reporting in this topic, my damaged #10 cans order from Augason got replaced and I’m satisfied with their follow through. First time I called for replacements I fell through the cracks, but that employee was no longer with them, so think that explained it.

Haven’t been buying much lately. Just small incremental purchases. I got in a few items from Lehmans. A set of gimlets to go with my old time manual tools, a honing kit, a replacement lid for my 5 gal ceramic fermenting crock (on it’s way), and waiting for a book on solar that’s currently back ordered. From the Amazon, some trauma kit items inbound for several IFAKs- tourniquets, chest seals, and airway tubes. In my more frugal shopping, been picking up some additional 2nd hand books on the cheap. Among them medical reference books as well as books on learning sign language.

The container garden is doing well. I’ve been harvesting tomatoes and peppers. I think I’ll be drying peppers at minimum. Time allowing I might make a small batch of canned peppers.

Spent a short amount of time looking at PA property. While I’d love to get out of NJ later this year, it might be more realistic to find something “right” and do it next year.

I’ve been really occupied lately getting a house ready enough for sale, with lots of minor repairs and lots of clean up. Working on filling a 3rd 20yd dumpster…I think at least one dumpster’s worth was just stored building materials. Sad to see some of that go. However, In recent activity, during cleaning and dividing some final items with the ex, I recovered 10 pails of rice, beans and popcorn. I recall in this lot that some of the restaurant supply beans were a little iffy looking directly out of the bulk bags when I’d repacked in mylar with DE within the 5 gal pails. I’ll have to open one pail up, see what they look like, and how they rinse up for a cooking. Decoy food at the worst.

From past reporting in this topic, my damaged #10 cans order from Augason got replaced and I’m satisfied with their follow through. First time I called for replacements I fell through the cracks, but that employee was no longer with them, so think that explained it.

Haven’t been buying much lately. Just small incremental purchases. I got in a few items from Lehmans. A set of gimlets to go with my old time manual tools, a honing kit, a replacement lid for my 5 gal ceramic fermenting crock (on it’s way), and waiting for a book on solar that’s currently back ordered. From the Amazon, some trauma kit items inbound for several IFAKs- tourniquets, chest seals, and airway tubes. In my more frugal shopping, been picking up some additional 2nd hand books on the cheap. Among them medical reference books as well as books on learning sign language.

The container garden is doing well. I’ve been harvesting tomatoes and peppers. I think I’ll be drying peppers at minimum. Time allowing I might make a small batch of canned peppers.

Spent a short amount of time looking at PA property. While I’d love to get out of NJ later this year, it might be more realistic to find something “right” and do it next year.

Congrats on your two M&P 15s. I assume you have two Sport models, based on the cost? Are they Gen 1, or Gen 2 with the dust cover or forward assist?

Before continuing, I want to say I’m far from a firearms expert, and only offering an opinion. There are many experts on this forum with vast amounts of experience on the intricacies and nuances to fully kit out your rifles. They have plenty of range time and/or can speak well to their personal experiences.

I assume having spare parts, say a lower and upper parts kits is first priority.

I’m going to supply my simple perspective, fwiw, on priorities. I’m also budget conscious. Depending on the item, I won’t spend a whole lot on upgrades or spare piece parts. If you have the potential to lose your primary, a subset of parts aren’t the whole. If the desire is to have nearly the parts to assemble another rifle, then I’d suggest already having a backup rifle. Being the M&P cost you $500, when talking uppers, lowers, trigger upgrades, charging handles, BCG, etc. I’d personally just add a spare M&P, or suggest saving a bit more money to get something with extra features, and keep the original M&P as your backup. All things break eventually, even a high end product. A whole spare/backup can be used out of the box when needed, with no extra time spent to diagnose and rebuild. After having a backup, then spare parts. Just my opinion.

On AR upgrades, one has to consider their own unique situation, use scenarios, and personal proclivities in such things. Beyond a stock setup one could be a minimalist (e.g.- MBUS flip sights, red dot, sling, fold up bipod) or spend hundreds on a high-end scope, and many other customs. On high end upgrades, from a defense standpoint, night vision could be a better choice over getting a superb rifle, or working to make something better out of something basic. All depending on what you see yourself doing of course.

Congrats on your two M&P 15s. I assume you have two Sport models, based on the cost? Are they Gen 1, or Gen 2 with the dust cover or forward assist?

Before continuing, I want to say I’m far from a firearms expert, and only offering an opinion. There are many experts on this forum with vast amounts of experience on the intricacies and nuances to fully kit out your rifles. They have plenty of range time and/or can speak well to their personal experiences.

I assume having spare parts, say a lower and upper parts kits is first priority.

I’m going to supply my simple perspective, fwiw, on priorities. I’m also budget conscious. Depending on the item, I won’t spend a whole lot on upgrades or spare piece parts. If you have the potential to lose your primary, a subset of parts aren’t the whole. If the desire is to have nearly the parts to assemble another rifle, then I’d suggest already having a backup rifle. Being the M&P cost you $500, when talking uppers, lowers, trigger upgrades, charging handles, BCG, etc. I’d personally just add a spare M&P, or suggest saving a bit more money to get something with extra features, and keep the original M&P as your backup. All things break eventually, even a high end product. A whole spare/backup can be used out of the box when needed, with no extra time spent to diagnose and rebuild. After having a backup, then spare parts. Just my opinion.

On AR upgrades, one has to consider their own unique situation, use scenarios, and personal proclivities in such things. Beyond a stock setup one could be a minimalist (e.g.- MBUS flip sights, red dot, sling, fold up bipod) or spend hundreds on a high-end scope, and many other customs. On high end upgrades, from a defense standpoint, night vision could be a better choice over getting a superb rifle, or working to make something better out of something basic. All depending on what you see yourself doing of course.

Thanks. I have the regular and wide mouth attachments for vacuum sealing mason jars, as well as brake line bleeders and similar hand pumps to use with those. I was curious on screw top lids as shown in the video, but I suppose if it’s tightened properly that the seal is still along the top rim of the jar.

Thanks. I have the regular and wide mouth attachments for vacuum sealing mason jars, as well as brake line bleeders and similar hand pumps to use with those. I was curious on screw top lids as shown in the video, but I suppose if it’s tightened properly that the seal is still along the top rim of the jar.